BASRA, IRAQ - Mention "Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar" around a native Minnesotan in Iraq, and you're almost guaranteed a glazed-eyed expression and rambling murmurs of longing Say "10,000 cookies" right after, and you might need to find them a chair

Yet, that's the number of cookies volunteers from several charitable and patriotic organizations - and many Sweet Martha's employees - gathered Dec 19 to pack-up and send to troops deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom with the Minnesota National Guard's 34th Infantry Division

As part of the event, Soldiers at Contingency Operating Base Basra hopped on Skype and got a chance to ogle the buckets as they were being prepared

Volunteers from all over participated on the Minnesota side; Cadets from St Thomas Academy, Mendota Heights, Minn, where the event was held, pitched in and even added notes to each package for the Soldiers

Even Minnesota Timberwolves board member Bill Popp showed up to support the troops and say a few words over Skype

Spc LaFena Washington, 34th Inf Div Human Resources Specialist from Minnetonka, Minn, said she was especially touched by the singing and guitar playing of Joshua Revak, himself a veteran of recent conflicts

Revak serenaded several of the Soldiers over Skype, and spent a considerable amount of time at the Skype terminal chatting with and singing to them

It was the first time Washington had ever used Skype, she said, and that Saturday night, if not for a friend encouraging her to come participate, would have otherwise been a movie and popcorn night

"I'm so glad I did this," she said after passing the headset on to the next Soldier "It was worth missing movie night"

"The fact they had a veteran playing for us really stood out," she said, "and that people took time out to come over and talk to us I was really impressed"

"It was just nice to see that a bunch of people got on," said the Moorhead, Minn native "It was a little hometown experience"

Brad Walton, Event Organizer, said the event carried on a tradition started in 2006 when a Marine returning soon to Iraq called in to WCCO, Minneapolis radio show When Walton asked him what he could do to help the troops, the Marine simply replied, "Chocolate chip cookies"

That first batch saw 10,000 cookies heading out to the troops, and now another 10,000 are shipping overseas

"About a month ago as I thought of you and the Red Bulls and all the troops, I reflected back to 2006 and the cookies for the troops," Walton wrote in an email to Chaplain (Lt Col) John Morris, 34th Inf Div Chaplain, in early December "I called Martha Rossini of Sweet Martha fame and asked her if she was once again up for doing what we did with the Blue Star Moms and all back in 2006"

Of course, her enthusiasm for the idea was as great in 2009 as in 2006

They would even throw in an added bonus, Walton noted in the e-mail: milk Gudding was happy at the idea of the milk when volunteers showed it off to him over Skype

"It'll be nice to have some real milk," he said

In the end, it comes down to basic gratitude, on both ends

"We are all so indebted to all of you for your service," Walton, said, with Rossini-Olson nodding agreement next to him "It's just our way of saying thank you"

On the other end, once those cookies have reached the troops, the volunteers and organizers are sure to have that thank you returned to them, perhaps not 10,000 times in word, but certainly in 10,000 moments of enjoyment

Posted: 2017-09-26 12:02 PM CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. - One of the most difficult, most sacred, honorable duties in the military is one that people don't often think about. It takes compassion, empathy, care, and requires great resilience. It is one that when called upon to train for, they hope to rarely perform because it means another Soldier has been lost. It is the duty of casualty notification officer and casualty assistance officer.

About 45 Minnesota Army National Guard Soldiers came to Camp Ripley, Minnesota, on September 21-22, 2017, for a Reset Seminar to find fellowship in one specific thing they have in common: delivering the worst news in the Army.

When a Soldier dies at home or overseas, CNOs and CAOs must notify and help families through the process, including paperwork, benefits, and funeral arrangements.

"The education and experience these Soldiers will receive is invaluable," said Command Sgt. Maj. Shane Hybben, 1-194th command sergeant major. "Our Soldiers will have operated in joint forces operations with fire and maneuver, which will allow for best practices to be shared and used in the future. They will have a better understanding of other military forces and how they operate not only strengthening our force but everyone involved."

The Brainerd-based battalion spearheaded the mission to Sweden as the most recent element of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division to have taken part in joint international training missions throughout Europe since early 2017.

Posted: 2017-09-20 08:33 AM WINTHROP, Mass. - Settled in 1630, Winthrop is one of the oldest communities in the United States. Service members of all branches of the military from this seaside town just north of Boston have fought on behalf of their state and nation since the Revolutionary War. On Saturday, Sept. 16th, Maj. Gen. Jon Jensen, the commanding general of the Minnesota-based 34th Red Bull Infantry Division, participated in a ceremony that honored one of Winthrop's own: Pvt. 1st Class Andrew Biggio.

Like so many young men of his era, 19-year old Winthrop native Andrew Giovanni Biggio raised his hand to volunteer for service in 1944. He was assigned to B Company, 135th Infantry Regiment of the 34th Infantry Division. An infantryman, Biggio fought valiantly with the Red Bulls, liberating the Italian towns of Viterbo, Cecina and Liverno. His heroic actions in combat earned Pvt. 1st Class Biggio a Bronze Star Medal.

"The Minnesota National Guard continues to diversify our force and grow strong leaders," said Brig. Gen. Sandy Best, chief of staff of the Minnesota Air National Guard. "Strong leaders are able to self-manage and channel emotions to produce desired behaviors and results."

The forum is part of an overall effort to promote an inclusive culture, diversify the organization, grow strong leaders and provide professional leadership development for both women and men. The topics will focus on emotional intelligence, leadership, high performing teams and creating a championship culture.